Method for developing an enterprise alignment framework hierarchy by compiling and relating sets of strategic business elements

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of strategic planning and, in particular, to a system and method for aligning, managing and implementing an enterprise strategy.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Strategy management is critical to the success of many organizations such as businesses, charities, government agencies and schools. Through a strategic planning process, the leaders of an organization attempt to clarify the organization's long-term goals and develop a plan for accomplishing those goals. A successful strategy anticipates future threats to the organization and positions the organization to take advantage of new opportunities that may arise.

[0005] The strategic planning process is time consuming, expensive and requires a complex analysis of the organization and its environment. As a result, the typical strategic planning process is implemented only once per year and only addresses a small subset of the issues that face the organization. A conventional strategic planning process for a business is illustrated in FIG. 1. A strategic planning committee is created from the business' senior management, and the members of the strategic planning committee conduct an audit of the business and its environment (i.e., an environmental scan) to determine the business' strengths and weaknesses (Step 2). A typical audit involves intensive data gathering from sources throughout the business organization, as well as sources external to the business. Next, the planning committee defines the organization's mission, vision and guiding principles (Step 4). A mission statement describes the present nature of the business, including the business' purpose and direction (i.e., the goals the business is trying to accomplish). A vision statement describes the desired future of the business, and guiding principles outline the values and philosophy of the business that guide the behavior of its personnel.

[0006] The planning committee compares the current state of the business, as determined by the environmental scan and the mission statement, to the business' desired future as identified in the vision statement and guiding principles. Based on this comparison, the planning committee identifies long-term goals, which define the changes the business should implement in order to achieve its stated vision (Step 6). The planning committee selects a manageable number of long-terms goals that are reasonable for the business to achieve and defines strategies for achieving these selected goals. The environmental scan, mission, vision, guiding principles and long-term goals and strategies are compiled into a formal strategic plan, which is used by managers throughout the organization to create operating plans directed towards accomplishing the organization's goals (Step 8). Managers and employees then implement the operating plans (Step 10). After creating the formal strategic plan, the planning committee disbands until the following year when a new strategic planning process will start.

[0007] The prior art strategic planning processes have many drawbacks. For example, the time, effort and expense required by the strategic planning process limit effective strategic planning to a once-a-year event that addresses only a small number of strategic objectives. Changes in the environment or refinements to the strategic plan are seldom considered until the next year's strategic planning process. As a result, organizations are slow to react to their environments, including environmental changes that may invalidate some of the assumptions underlying the current strategic plan.

[0008] To assist with the strategic planning process, many organizations retain large consulting firms. Typically, consultants are retained to guide the planning committee through the strategy formulation process, and leave the implementation of the strategy to the organization. A large organization may have numerous managers in various business units, departments and divisions, with each manager independently interpreting the strategic plan and attempting to develop an operating plan that achieves the strategic goals. To ensure that its managers are focused on achieving the enterprises' strategic goals, many organizations use a balanced scorecard (BSC) system. Through a BSC system, strategic goals are described in terms of metrics that must be met in order to achieve the strategy. These metrics are passed to the managers who develop operating plans to achieve these metrics.

[0009] Although a BSC system may simplify strategy planning and implementation, relying on a BSC system has many drawbacks. For example, an entire strategy can seldom be described completely in terms of numbers and there is usually a “gap” between the selected metrics and the strategic goal that will be ignored during strategy implementation. In addition, the performance metrics used in the BSC system are established based on historical results. While managers and employees are working to achieve these historical metrics, changes in the current environment often go ignored. When it is discovered that managers and employees have been assigned metrics that do not further the strategic goals, the historical results are analyzed and new metrics are created.

[0010] A successful implementation of the strategic plan will require the alignment of the organization's resources and strategic initiatives with the organization's strategic vision. Recent advancements have focused on improving the predictive and analytical capabilities of a BSC system to make better predictions of the future and create better fits with strategic goals. There has been little advancement, however, in improving the day-to-day management of an enterprise's strategy implementation. Large enterprises, face new challenges every day and must be prepared to react to changes in their resources, environment and strategy. In today's world, the enterprise's ability to manage and accelerate organizational change has become an essential element of success.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an enterprise alignment framework for assisting an organization's management in focusing an entire enterprise on achieving identified strategic goals and managing this alignment on a day-to-day basis. The enterprise alignment framework provides managers with a tool to ensure that strategic goals are well supported by initiatives and that the initiatives are focused in the same direction with minimal overlap. The enterprise alignment framework also assists managers in defining leadership roles, responsibilities, and performance metrics.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the ESM includes a STRATEGY FORMULATION software module, a STRATEGY ALIGNMENT software module and a STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION software module. The STRATEGY FORMULATION module includes applications and processes for assisting the organization's management in setting and refining the strategic direction of the organization. In operation, end users utilize the STRATEGY FORMULATION module to assess the organization's internal and external environment, formulate and analyze strategic alternatives and determine and approve a final strategy description. The STRATEGY ALIGNMENT module includes applications and processes for assisting the organization's management in focusing the enterprise on achieving the described strategic goals. In operation, end users utilize the STRATEGY ALIGNMENT module to align described strategy components, describe and align operational strategy components, plan projects, initiatives and performance metrics activity, and deploy implementation responsibilities. The STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION module includes applications and processes for assisting the organization's management in efficiently distributing and executing the organization's strategy. In operation, end users utilize the STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION module to the launch of activities, implement and measure the execution of strategy and performance results, and identify opportunities to optimize strategic performance. In a preferred embodiment, the STRATEGY FORMULATION module, STRATEGY ALIGNMENT module and STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION module interact to create a continuous strategy planning cycle. Unlike the prior art strategic planning processes, the steps in the continuous strategy planning cycle may be executed at any time and in any order, allowing management to take advantage of new opportunities as they arise and refine the strategic plan as problems are presented.

[0013] The STRATEGY FORMULATION module preferably includes four software components (ASSESS, FORMULATE, ANALYZE and SELECT) that function as a continuous STRATEGY FORMULATION cycle. The four software components may be executed at any time and in any order. The ASSESS component assists the organization's management in identifying the key forces in both the internal and external environments that may affect the organization in the future and analyzing how these forces affect the current and future of the organization. The FORMULATE component assists the organization's management in creating and articulating alternative strategies for the organization. The ANALYZE component assists the organization's management in reviewing strategic alternatives through the use of analytic methods. The SELECT component assists the organization's management in selecting and finalizing the vision and strategy of the organization.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the FORMULATE component includes a strategy formulation engine that assists the user with the generation of a multi-layered strategy description that includes integrated implementation requirements. The strategy formulation engine includes at least three layers. In the first layer the organization's strategic direction is described, including the current state of the organization and a vision of the organization's future. In the third layer, strategy platform requirements are identified for implementing the strategy. In the second layer, the strategy description and the strategy platform requirements are integrated.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the strategy formulation engine provides a framework for creating a five-layer strategy description. In the first layer, the user formulates a description of the strategic direction of the organization's growth strategy, including a vision of the organization's future and a target date for achieving the vision. In the second layer, the user breaks down the strategic direction into a more detailed description of the evolution of the organization's business phases, with each business phase having an associated target date. In the third layer, the user creates a roadmap of strategy platforms for the organization to follow over the course of the strategic timeframe. The user is preferably provided with a graphical user interface for selecting, creating, manipulating and interconnecting strategy platforms. In the fourth layer, the strategy platforms are selected, created and/or modified to achieve the strategic vision. In a preferred embodiment, each strategy platform includes requirements and outputs. Strategy platform requirements define the specific needs that are necessary to create the strategy platform. Strategy platform outputs identify the direct and indirect benefits expected to be received from the implementation of the strategy platform. The inputs to a strategy platform include at least one list of strategy platform requirements. Strategy platform requirements are the detailed requirements for the strategy platforms and may be directly processed and transformed into implementation activities. In the fifth layer, the strategy platform requirements are identified and categorized and current capabilities and future requirements for the strategy platform requirements to assist with the strategic goals are defined.

[0016] The STRATEGY ALIGNMENT module preferably includes four components (ALIGN STRATEGY, ALIGN OPERATIONS, PLAN and ASSIGN) that function as a continuous cycle. The four software components may be executed by an end user at any time and in any order. The ALIGN STRATEGY component assists the organization's management in ensuring that the strategic elements of the approved strategy are aligned. In a preferred embodiment, alignment is performed using an alignment matrix that illustrates the relationship between two strategic elements. The ALIGN OPERATIONS component assists the organization's management in ensuring that essential aspects of the organization's operations, technology, and people are aligned with the approved strategy. The PLAN component assists the organization's management in developing plans corresponding to the alignment. The ASSIGN component assists the organization's management in the synchronization, approval and assignment of enterprise initiatives, projects and metrics.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the STRATEGY ALIGNMENT module includes a multi-level enterprise strategy alignment. On an enterprise-level, the enterprise strategy alignment includes a plurality of alignment frameworks, each framework providing a graphical representation of numerous alignment status between various sets of strategic elements. In a preferred embodiment, the enterprise strategy alignment includes five alignment matrices on each framework. The first alignment matrix is used to align a set of strategic goals and a set of performance metrics. The second alignment matrix is used to align the set of strategic goals and a set of value creation platforms. The third alignment matrix is used to align the set of performance metrics and a set of strategic initiatives. The fourth alignment matrix is used to align the set of value platforms and the set of strategic initiatives. The fifth alignment matrix is used to align the set of strategic initiatives and a set of leadership roles. The enterprise strategy alignment may also include an operations-level framework, and one or more intermediate-level frameworks that connect the enterprise-level elements to the operations-level elements.

[0018] The STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION module preferably includes four components (LAUNCH, IMPLEMENT, MEASURE and OPTIMIZE) that function as a continuous cycle. The four software components may be executed by an end user at any time and in any order. The LAUNCH component manages the launch of implementation activity for the strategy across the enterprise. The IMPLEMENT component facilitates the day-to-day management of initiatives, projects and metrics. The MEASURE component tracks and reports on the implementation of the organization's strategy. The OPTIMIZE component identifies opportunities and areas for improvement that arise during the execution of the organization's strategy.

[0019] A more complete understanding of the Enterprise Strategy Alignment Framework will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages and objects thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings, which will first be described briefly.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an enterprise strategy management application includes a framework for aligning, managing and implementing an enterprise strategy. In the detailed description of a preferred embodiment that follows, like element numerals are used to describe like elements illustrated in one or more the aforementioned figures.

[0040] A preferred operating environment for an enterprise strategy management application (ESM) is illustrated in FIG. 2. At least one user device 12 is adapted to communicate with at least one web server 14 through a network 16. The network 16 may include one or more communications networks that facilitate communications between the user device 12 and the web server 14, such as the Internet, intranets, local area networks, wireless networks and telephone networks. In a preferred embodiment, the user device 12 is a personal computer. However, the user device 12 may be any device that is adapted to communicate with the web server 14, such as a personal digital assistant, wireless application protocol telephone or television set-top box. The web server 14 preferably includes one or more World Wide Web servers that are adapted to serve content to the user device 12 through web browser software executing on the user device 12.

[0041] The web server 14 is connected to an application server 18, preferably through a local area network. In a preferred embodiment, the application server 18 is a JAVA application server that executes applications for managing and implementing the enterprise strategy management application. The application server 18 is connected to a storage system 20 that stores a plurality of databases used by the ESM. The storage system 20 may include a database server, a storage area network, one or more network attached storage devices or any other data storage device or system that is capable of storing ESM data. The application server 18 is preferably connected to an integration engine 22, which provides integration services between the ESM and other enterprise applications, such as an enterprise resource planning application 24, a supply chain management application 26 or a client relationship management application 28. The integration engine 22 may execute on the application server 18 and/or one or more other servers connected to the application server 18. Through the integration engine 22, the ESM shares data and reports with other enterprise applications.

[0042] It should be appreciated that the operating environment described in FIG. 2 is merely illustrative and that alternative network and server configurations are contemplated within the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, in alternative embodiments the functions performed by the data storage 20, application server 18 and web server 14 may be performed by a single computer system or by a plurality of computer systems distributed across any number of locations.

[0043] The ESM will now be described with reference to FIG. 3. In a preferred embodiment, the ESM is a software application that includes a STRATEGY FORMULATION software module 30, a STRATEGY ALIGNMENT software module 40 and a STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION software module 50. The STRATEGY FORMULATION module 30 includes applications and processes for assisting the organization's management in setting and refining the strategic direction of the organization. In operation, end users utilize the STRATEGY FORMULATION module 30 to assess the internal and external environment including performance results and newly identified strategic opportunities, formulate and analyze strategic alternatives and determine and approve a final strategy description. The STRATEGY ALIGNMENT module 40 includes applications and processes for assisting the organization's management in focusing the entire enterprise on achieving the described strategic goals. In operation, end users utilize the STRATEGY ALIGNMENT module 40 to align the described strategy components, describe and align operational strategy components, plan projects, initiatives and performance metrics activity, and deploy implementation responsibilities. The STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION module 50 includes applications and processes for assisting the organization's management in efficiently distributing and executing the organization's strategy. In operation, end users utilize the STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION module 50 to activate the launch of activities, implement and measure the execution of strategy and performance results, and identify the opportunities to optimize strategic performance.

[0044] As will be described in greater detail below, the STRATEGY FORMULATION module 30, the STRATEGY ALIGNMENT module 40 and the STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION module 50 interact to drive a continuous strategy planning cycle 60 that offers many advantages over the prior art. Unlike the prior art, the STRATEGY FORMULATION module 30 provides a computer-implemented process for formulating strategy and the STRATEGY ALIGNMENT module 40 provides a computer-implemented process for aligning strategy with organizational resources. In addition, the continuous strategy planning cycle 60 provides a framework that allows for the efficient management and implementation of a larger number of strategic objectives than is practical under a traditional strategy planning approach. Unlike the prior art, the steps in the continuous strategy planning cycle 60 may be executed at any time and in any order, allowing the organization to take advantage of opportunities as they arise and refine different aspects of the strategic plan as problems are presented. In addition, the continuous strategy planning cycle 60 provides a framework to allow refinements to be made across multiple strategy planning cycles. This allows an organization to select more ambitious strategic objectives (including strategic objectives that may not appear achievable) than would be practical to implement under the prior art approaches. Additional advantages should be readily apparent to persons having ordinary skill in the art.

[0045] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the STRATEGY FORMULATION module 30 preferably includes four software components: ASSESS 32, FORMULATE 34, ANALYZE 36 and SELECT 38. The software components of the STRATEGY FORMULATION module 30 interact to function as a continuous strategy formulation cycle and may be executed by end users at any time and in any order. A preferred embodiment of the ASSESS component 32 is illustrated in FIG. 5a. The ASSESS component 32 includes processes for assisting the organization's management in identifying and analyzing the key forces in both the internal and external environments that may affect the organization in the future. The ASSESS component 32 analyzes environmental data from external research/information 70 (e.g., market data obtained from third-party research firms), internal research/information 72 (e.g., data received from other enterprise applications through the integration engine), the current approved strategy 80 (produced by the SELECT component 38) and enterprise performance information 118 (produced by the STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION module 50 from a prior strategy planning cycle) using techniques of environmental scanning and competitive intelligence. In the preferred embodiment, the data used by the modules and components of the ESM may be accessed through the storage system 20 (see FIG. 2). Based on the analysis of the input data, the ASSESS module 32 generates output data 74, including an external environmental assessment, an internal environmental assessment, a competency profile of the organization and decision criteria. The output data 74 may be produced using conventional analytical approaches such as Strength, Weakness, Opportunity & Threat Analysis (SWOT Analysis) and internal Value Chain Analysis.

[0046] A preferred embodiment of the FORMULATE component 34 is illustrated in FIG. 5b. The FORMULATE component 34 includes processes for assisting the organization's management in creating and articulating alternative strategies for the organization. The FORMULATE component 34 retrieves the external assessment, internal assessment, competency profile and decision criteria 74 generated by the ASSESS module 32 and analyzes the data to formulate strategy alternatives 76. The strategy alternatives 76 may be produced using conventional approaches and concepts such as Five-Forces Competitive Analysis and Strategic Groups, or through a strategy formulation engine that assists the user with the generation of a multi-layered strategy description that includes integrated implementation requirements.

[0047] A preferred embodiment of a strategy formulation engine will now be described with reference to FIGS. 9-13. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the strategy formulation engine assists the organization in generating a multi-layered strategy description 200 that integrates the organization's strategic direction 202 with strategy platform requirements 210. At the highest level, strategic direction 202, the organization's strategic direction is described, including the current state of the organization and a vision of the organization's future. At the lowest level, strategy platform requirements 210, detailed requirements are identified for implementing the strategy. The strategic direction layer 202 and the strategy platform requirements layer 210 are integrated through at least one intermediate layer, such as business model evolution/phases layer 204, strategy platform integration layer 206 and strategy platforms layer 208.

[0048] A preferred operation of the strategy formulation engine will now be described with reference to FIGS. 10a-c & 11. As illustrated, the strategy formulation engine provides the user with at least one interface for each layer 202-210 that allows the user to create, edit and manipulate information associated with the layer. An interface for viewing the first layer, strategic direction 202, is illustrated in FIG. 10a. In this layer, the user formulates a description of the strategic direction of the organization's growth strategy, including a vision of the organization's future 220 and a target date 222 for achieving the vision 220. In a preferred embodiment, the strategic direction corresponds to a conventional vision statement, but may include a more complex description or be presented in an alternative format that is suited to the organization. For example, the strategic direction may be comprised of a single phrase, such as “creating world class technical support systems,” or a detailed report which may be adapted from the data output from the ASSESS component. In a preferred embodiment, the strategy formulation engine stores sample descriptions of current states 224 and future visions 220 for selection and/or editing by the user. These samples may include descriptions from a prior continuous strategy planning cycle, user defined samples and predefined samples that include common descriptions of current states 224 and future visions 220.

[0049] A preferred interface for viewing the second layer, business model evolution/phases 202, is illustrated in FIG. 10b. In the second layer, the user breaks down the strategic direction 202 into a more detailed description of the evolution of the organization's business phases. Each business phase, such as business phases 226a-c has an associated target date 228a-b and 224 for completion of the business phase. For example, a computer hardware company with a disjointed technical support operation may have a strategic vision of “creating world class technology support systems.” This strategic direction may be broken down into an “enabling infrastructure phase” that includes the creation of a basic infrastructure and foundation upon which the world class technology support systems will be built. A second business phase may be an “enhanced infrastructure phase” that includes building upon the basic infrastructure to offer certain enhanced services to customers. A third business phase may be a “break through value creation phase” that includes building a breakthrough infrastructure that offers breakthrough services. In a preferred embodiment, the strategy formulation engine stores sample business phase descriptions for selection and/or editing by the user. These samples may include business phases from a prior continuous strategy planning cycle, user defined samples and predefined samples that include common business phases for implementing various strategic directions.

[0050] A preferred interface for viewing the third layer, strategy platform integration 206, is illustrated in FIG. 10c. In the third layer, the user creates a roadmap of strategy platforms for the organization to follow over the course of the strategic timeframe. As illustrated, the user is presented with a graphical user interface for selecting, creating, manipulating and interconnecting strategic platforms, such as strategic platforms 230a-e and 232a-c. The position of each strategic platform 230a-e and 232a-c correlates the strategic platform with a business phase 226a-c and arrows are used to identify the interrelationships between the strategic platforms. Preferably each strategic platform defines a milestone for achieving the corresponding business phases defined in the second layer. The strategic platforms may be selected from a list of strategic platforms, including predefined strategic platforms that are commonly used to achieve particular business phases, and strategic platforms created and/or modified in a prior strategy planning cycle.

[0051] FIG. 10c illustrates a strategy roadmap for a computer hardware company. In the company's current state, technology support capabilities are distributed throughout the organization. In the first layer, the strategy planning committee identified a long-term goal 220 of improving its technology support capabilities and offering world class technology support by the target date 222. In the second layer, the company identified three business phases 226a-c and target dates for the completion of each phase. In the first business phase 226a, the company will create the necessary infrastructure needed to enable the strategic vision 222. In the second business phase 226b, the company will use the infrastructure to enhance its services and capabilities. In the third business phase 226c, the company will build a breakthrough infrastructure to enable breakthrough services. In the third layer, the company created a roadmap of strategy platforms 230a-e and 232a-c to follow over the course of the strategic timeframe to achieve each of the business phases. In one embodiment, the strategy platforms may be grouped by the user for easier manipulation, such as the group of strategy platforms 230a-e for building out the infrastructure and the group of strategy platforms 232a-c for building out customer support capabilities. The groups may be predefined, created by the user or retrieved from prior strategy planning cycles.

[0052] In the fourth layer, strategy platforms 206, individual strategy platforms are selected, created and/or modified to achieve the strategic themes. In a preferred embodiment, a strategy platform is a repeatable formula for the creation of value for the organization that includes requirements and outputs. Strategy platform requirements define the inputs that are necessary to create the strategy platform. Strategy platform outputs identify the direct and indirect benefits expected to be received from the implementation of the strategy platform. A preferred interface for building the strategy platforms is illustrated in FIG. 11. The user may select a strategy platform 230 from a list of predefined strategy platforms, create a new strategy platform or edit a strategy platform used in the strategy platforms integration layer 204. In one embodiment, the user may double-click on a strategy platform in the strategy platforms integration layer 204 to view the interface for the selected strategy platform 240, such as “world class field support.” The inputs to strategy platform 240 include at least one list of strategy platform requirements. Strategy platform requirements are the detailed requirements for the strategy platforms and may be directly transformed into implementation activities. In the illustrated embodiment, four groups of strategy platform requirements are used: operational requirements 242a, organizational requirements 242b, technology requirements 242c and knowledge requirements 242d. A list of the organization's competencies and capabilities may also be provided for the user. The list may be derived and updated from the competency profile generated by the ASSESS component 32 and may be edited by the user as needed. In a preferred embodiment, the user may add strategy platform requirements by dragging-and-dropping the organization's competencies and capabilities from a list (not shown) into one of the groups of strategy platform requirements 242a-d. The output of the strategy platform 240 produces deployment strategy platform requirements 246 and value creation opportunities 248. The user may select deployment strategy platform requirements 246 and value creation opportunities 248 from a predefined list, modify existing list elements and create new deployment strategy platform requirements and value creation opportunities definitions. An example of a “world class field support” strategy platform is illustrated in FIG. 12.

[0053] The fifth layer, strategy platform requirements 208, is used to define the business and operational needs necessary to build the strategy platforms. Each strategy platform requirement identified in the fourth layer, strategy platforms 206, is categorized and current capabilities and future requirements for the strategy platform requirement to assist with the strategic goals are defined. In a preferred embodiment, each strategy platform requirement also includes a corresponding degree of existence that indicates the relative availability of the strategy platform requirement. Degrees of existence may include “completely available,” illustrated as full circle 250, “partially available,” illustrated as a partially filled circle 252, and “not available,” illustrated as an empty circle 254. A sample database structure for storing the strategy platform requirements is illustrated in FIG. 19. The stored information preferably includes sufficient detail to directly transform strategy platforms, and groups of strategy platforms, into implementation activities such as initiatives and projects. In a preferred embodiment, each initiative and project will be designed to achieve a “completely available” status for one or more strategy platform requirement.

[0054] In the preferred embodiment, the multi-layered strategy description illustrated in FIG. 9 may be created in any order and may even be created by various individuals working independently. In addition, the user may select one or more predefined business model templates to create a generic multi-layered strategy description that may be modified by the user and/or automatically updated in accordance with the organization's specific requirements. The business model templates are preferably real-world examples of successful multi-layered strategy descriptions and integrated implementation requirements that simplify the creation of the multi-layered strategy description. Strategy alternatives can be created by modifying the mappings and/or definitions in any of the layers. It should be appreciated that, as additional data is generated in the continuous strategy cycle, the strategy platforms and strategy alternatives can be automatically updated in real time. Management will obtain real time feedback on the availability of new capabilities and the expiration of old capabilities. Obsolete or faulty strategy can be immediately corrected and implemented.

[0055] A preferred embodiment of the ANALYZE component 36 is illustrated in FIG. 5c. The ANALYZE component 36 includes processes for assisting the organization's management in analyzing the strategic alternatives prepared by the FORMULATE component 34. The ANALYZE component 36 also retrieves the external assessment, internal assessment and decision criteria 74 generated by the ASSESS component 32. In a preferred embodiment, the analysis of the strategy alternatives includes a risk analysis and an assignment of a score for each strategic alternative based on the decision criteria. This may be accomplished using conventional approaches as known in the art. After analyzing the strategic alternatives, the end user may select one of the strategy alternatives 78 for implementation.

[0056] A preferred embodiment of the SELECT component 38 is illustrated in FIG. 5d. The SELECT component 38 includes processes for assisting the organization's management in selecting and finalizing the vision and strategy of the organization. The SELECT component 38 retrieves the external assessment, internal assessment and decision criteria 74 generated by the ASSESS component 32 and the selected strategy 78 generated by the ANALYSIS component 36. Through the SELECT component 38, the end user creates a detailed strategy specification and approves the finalized strategy 80. In a preferred embodiment, the finalized strategy 80 may be generated through one or more end user applications that assist the end user in defining and describing the organization's strategy in relation to the product and service it offers and the market segments the organization is targeting.

[0057] Referring back to FIG. 4, a preferred embodiment of the STRATEGY ALIGNMENT module 40 includes four components: ALIGN STRATEGY 42, ALIGN OPERATIONS 44, PLAN 46 and ASSIGN 48. The software components of the STRATEGY ALIGNMENT module 40 function as part of a continuous cycle and may be executed by an end user at any time and in any order. A preferred embodiment of the ALIGN STRATEGY component 42 is illustrated in FIG. 6a. The ALIGN STRATEGY component 42 retrieves the approved strategy 80 that was generated by the SELECT component 38 of the STRATEGY FORMULATION module 30, as well as deployed performance metrics 92 previously generated by the ASSIGN component 48. The ALIGN STRATEGY component 42 is used by the organization's managers to ensure that the strategic elements of the approved strategy are aligned. The ALIGN STRATEGY component 42 outputs data describing the strategy alignment and strategic elements 94, such as the organization's initiatives, value platforms, performance metrics and leadership roles. The ALIGN STRATEGY component 42 may be implemented using conventional concepts of project management. FIG. 7 illustrates a preferred input screen 100 for use by managers in aligning strategic elements, such as enterprise initiatives and performance metrics. As illustrated, each metric is listed in a column 102 and each initiative is listed in a row 104. The end user utilizes the intersection between the columns 102 and the rows 104 (alignment matrix) to define the relationship between each metric and each initiative. In one embodiment, a symbol 106 is placed at the intersection of a metric and each initiative it supports.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment, the STRATEGY ALIGNMENT module 40 provides managers with an enterprise strategy alignment for managing strategy implementation. This alignment consists of frameworks, referred to herein as an enterprise strategy alignments, provides management with a tool to view of all aspects of the enterprise's strategic alignment. Through the enterprise strategy alignment, the speed of strategy execution will be enhanced and the enterprise will have greater flexibility to manage and adapt enterprise strategy. Through the enterprise strategy alignment, managers can ensure that strategic goals are well supported by initiatives and that all of the initiatives are focused in the same direction. The enterprise strategy alignment may also be used to define leadership roles and responsibilities and assign performance metrics.

[0059] A preferred embodiment of a enterprise strategy alignment 300 is illustrated in FIGS. 13-18. Referring to FIG. 15a, an enterprise level view of the enterprise strategy alignment 300 includes five lists of strategic elements that are aligned through five alignment matrices 302, as described in FIG. 7. As illustrated, the lists of strategic elements include value platforms 306, enterprise initiatives 308, strategy thrusts 304, strategic and operational performance metrics 310 and enterprise roles 312. Through the enterprise strategy alignment 300, each list of strategic elements 302-310, may be organized, managed and viewed. For example, the list of value platforms 306 may be prioritized based on strategic importance, operational impact, and value creation potential. Each strategic element is presented to the user in a single row or column of its respective list of strategic elements 304-310.

[0060] The enterprise strategy alignment 300 provides a view and user interface for aligning the strategic elements. The relationship between strategic elements are defined through alignment matrices 302. Each alignment matrix 302 is formed at the intersection of two lists of strategic elements, and includes a plurality of boxes formed at the intersections of the strategic elements. A plurality of symbol types are preferably used to describe the relationships between the individual strategic elements. For example, a checkmark 312 may be used to indicate that two strategic elements are aligned, and an “X” 314 may be used to indicate that the two strategic elements are misaligned. Individual roles may also be described through a plurality of symbols, such as letters 314. As illustrated, each box of the alignment matrix 302 indicates whether the role player will approve (A), lead (L), support (S) or implement (I) the corresponding strategic initiative 306. Each alignment matrix 302 may be updated through the view illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0061] The strategy alignment 300 brings into a single framework all of the elements that need to be aligned in an enterprise. In a preferred embodiment, each of the lists of strategic elements in the strategy alignment 300 is initially filled with information previously generated by the ESM. The lists may be viewed, managed and updated through the strategy alignment 300 using conventional user interface tools as known in the art, such as scroll bars for scrolling through a large list.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 18, a preferred process for creating a strategy alignment is illustrated. The process starts with a strategic direction 420 defined through the STRATEGY FORMULATION module 30. Next, strategy thrusts 422 are defined. Each strategy thrust 422 is preferably a high-level statement that guides future business development and value creation. In a preferred embodiment, the strategy thrusts are generated by the strategy formulation engine (described above). The achievement of each strategy thrust 422 is then quantified in terms of performance metrics 424, which identify operational and strategic performance measures. The performance metrics 424 may be defined through a balance scorecard system as known in the art. The relationship between the strategy thrusts 422 and the performance metrics 424 are defined through an alignment matrix 302a. The strategic thrusts 422 also form the basis of value creation platforms 428. Each value creation platform 428 leverages the enterprise's resources to enable business offerings and creates infrastructure to deploy new business offerings. The relationship between the strategic thrusts 422 and the value creation platforms 428 is defined through an alignment matrix 402.

[0063] Enterprise initiatives 426 may then be created to define how performance metrics 424 and value creation platforms 428 are achieved. The relationship between the performance metrics 424 and the enterprise initiatives 426 is defined through an alignment matrix 402. The relationship between the value creation platforms 428 and the enterprise initiatives 426 is defined through an alignment matrix 402. Once created, the enterprise initiatives 426 may be assigned to particular roles 430. Assigning leadership roles for enterprise initiatives 426 is greatly enhances the successful execution of the enterprise strategy. Although a preferred process for creating a strategy alignment 300 is illustrated in FIG. 14, it should be appreciated that the strategy alignment 300 may be developed in any order.

[0064] From the enterprise strategy alignment, each strategic element may be delegated to lower level entities in the enterprise, such as business units. In a preferred embodiment, the enterprise strategy alignment is a multi-tiered framework that engages all levels of the enterprise in an integrated vision for the future. A multi-tiered enterprise strategy alignment is illustrated in FIG. 16. An enterprise strategy alignment 350 defines an enterprise-level strategy alignment, including an assignment of roles for each enterprise initiative. These roles may be split among one or more business units 352. Each enterprise strategy alignment 352 defines a business unit-level strategy alignment. In a preferred embodiment, the enterprise strategy alignment 352 is initially created with the subset of strategic elements delegated from the parent strategy alignment. Each business unit then completes its own alignment 352 (e.g., by following the process illustrated in FIG. 14). Each strategy alignment 352 at the business unit level may be broken down into one or more alignments 354 at the operations level. At the operations level, operations plans are developed that link and integrate specific operations and technology plans, metrics and projects that directly enable the business unit strategies. It will be appreciated that, in alternate embodiments, the multi-tiered enterprise strategy alignment may include any number of tiers.

[0065] A preferred embodiment of the ALIGN OPERATIONS component 44 is illustrated in FIG. 6b. The ALIGN OPERATIONS component 44 retrieves the approved strategy 80 that was generated by the SELECT component 38 of the STRATEGY FORMULATION module 30, as well as the strategy components, enterprise initiatives, performance metrics, leadership roles and strategy alignment data 94 generated by the ALIGN STRATEGY component 42. The ALIGN OPERATIONS (see FIG. 15b) component 44 assists the organization's management in ensuring that essential aspects of the organization's operations, technology, and people are aligned with the approved strategy. The data 96 produced by the ALIGN OPERATIONS component 44 includes operational elements such as operations initiatives and projects, project metrics and leadership roles, as well as complete operations alignment data. The ALIGN OPERATIONS component 44 may be implemented using conventional project management concepts to integrate operational elements with the selected strategy. In a preferred embodiment, the operational elements are aligned by managers using an alignment matrix as illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0066] A preferred embodiment of the PLAN component 46 is illustrated in FIG. 6c. The PLAN component 46 retrieves the strategy alignment, operational alignment, initiatives, projects, performance metrics and leadership roles 94 and 96 generated by the ALIGN STRATEGY component 42 and the ALIGN OPERATIONS component 44, respectively. The PLAN component 46 assists the organization's management in developing plans corresponding the approved strategy and alignments. In a preferred embodiment, the ALIGN OPERATIONS component 44 produces data 98 including detailed plans for initiatives, projects and performance, and a business case analysis. The ALIGN OPERATIONS component 44 may be implemented using conventional project planning methods.

[0067] A preferred embodiment of the ASSIGN component 48 is illustrated in FIG. 6d. The ASSIGN component 48 retrieves the strategy alignment data 94 generated by the ALIGN STRATEGY component 42, the operations alignment data 96 generated by the ALIGN OPERATIONS component 44, and the business case analysis and detailed plans for initiatives, projects and performance data 98 generated by PLAN 46. The ASSIGN component 48 assists the organization's management in the synchronization, approval and assignment of enterprise initiatives, projects and metrics. In a preferred embodiment, the output data 110 including initiative implementation plans, project implementation plans and deployed performance metrics are generated by the ASSIGN component 48. The output data 110 may be generated using conventional approaches as known in the art.

[0068] Referring back to FIG. 4, a preferred embodiment of the STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION module 50 includes four components: LAUNCH 52, IMPLEMENT 54, MEASURE 56 and OPTIMIZE 58. The software components of the STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION module 50 function as part of a continuous cycle and may be executed by an end user at any time and in any order. A preferred embodiment of the LAUNCH component 52 is illustrated in FIG. 8a. The LAUNCH component 52 retrieves the initiative implementation plans, project implementation plans and deployed performance metrics data 110 generated by the ASSIGN component 48 of the STRATEGY ALIGNMENT module 40. In addition, the LAUNCH component 52 retrieves data 118, including enterprise performance reports, improvement plans and identified opportunities, previously generated by the OPTIMIZE component 58. End users use the LAUNCH component 52 to manage the launch of implementation activity for the enterprise strategy. The LAUNCH component 52 generates a status list of activated initiatives, activated projects and other related data 112.

[0069] A preferred embodiment of the IMPLEMENT component 54 is illustrated in FIG. 8b. The IMPLEMENT component 54 retrieves the initiative implementation plans and project implementation plans 110 generated by the ASSIGN component 48 of the STRATEGY ALIGNMENT module 40, the activated initiatives, activated projects and other related data 112 generated by the LAUNCH component 52, and an execution results report 116 previously generated by the MEASURE component 56. The IMPLEMENT component 54 assists managers in facilitating the day-to-day management of initiatives, projects and metrics. The IMPLEMENT component 54 maintains data 114 on completed initiatives, completed projects and implementation.

[0070] A preferred embodiment of the MEASURE component 56 is illustrated in FIG. 8c. The MEASURE component 56 retrieves the deployed performance metrics 110 generated by the ASSIGN component 48 of the STRATEGY ALIGNMENT MODULE 40, and implementation reports 114 from the IMPLEMENT component 54. The MEASURE component 56 includes application tools for reporting and tracking the implementation of the organization's strategy and produces an execution results report 116. The MEASURE component 56 may be implemented using conventional performance measurement approaches such as a Balanced Score Card.

[0071] A preferred embodiment of the OPTIMIZE component 58 is illustrated in FIG. 8d. The OPTIMIZE component 58 is adapted to receive completed initiatives, completed projects and implementation reports 114 from the IMPLEMENT component 54, and the execution results report 116 generated by the MEASURE component 56. The OPTIMIZE component 58 provides application tools for managers to use in identifying opportunities and areas for improvement that arise during the execution of the organization's strategy. The OPTIMIZE component 58 produces output data 118 such as enterprise performance reports, improvement plans and lists of opportunities. The OPTIMIZE component 58 may be implemented using feedback loop concepts to match opportunities with resources.

[0072] Having thus described a preferred embodiment the System and Method for Enterprise Strategy Management, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain advantages of the within described system have been achieved. It should also be appreciated that various modifications, adaptations, and alternative embodiments thereof may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, in the preferred embodiment the ESM includes three software modules, each of which includes four software components. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be implemented with a different number of modules and components. In addition, it should be appreciated that the strategy formulation engine and the enterprise strategy alignment may be implemented as part of any strategy planning process, such as a conventional strategy planning process as illustrated in FIG. 1, or as standalone applications.

[0073] The scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims.